|
I've been growing more interested in fests that had
something to do with nature. My interest was piqued
when I had picked up an article about Trumpeter swans
having their stay at a certain Magness Lake in Heber
Springs.
The swans are large birds with an average weight of
around 25-30 pounds, and very wide wingspans. Most of
them are white, with contrasting colors for their beaks,
area surrounding the eyes and feet.
These swans, apparently, have taken an interest to have
their vacation in this area, coming from the areas of
Alaska up north.
They have never ventured far south, reaching the state
of Arkansas. Story claims that it had started with three
swans, around the year 1991. That's when the numbers
increased over the years, until they had reached up
far over 100 swans per visit.
The swan-viewing, due to lack of publicity or any other
reason, isn't much of a formal event as it is a collated
event for most birdwatchers. The swans will just arrive
one day and everyone would be there. They usually stay
in the water or around the edges of the lake. You'd
know they'd be there because of the honking around the
area.
Most people would stay in the road by the lake, since
the view is nice as well. The swans would eat anything
given to them, but the most appropriate feed would be
shelled corn; something which could be easily brought
from the town feed shop. Makes for some decent income
for the town too. Perhaps the town could consider making
it a formal festival in under a few years.
Swans are best viewed around afternoon, when the sun
is cool and the heat and glare are bearable. It's also
the time when they are in flight, so it's a dramatic
sight seeing a whole flock of birds in mid-air before
landing back in the lake. They'd have finished eating
by then, so it's a good time for viewing the birds.
I've been growing more interested in fests that had
something to do with nature. My interest was piqued
when I had picked up an article about Trumpeter swans
having their stay at a certain Magness Lake in Heber
Springs.
About the Author
Arkansas is fast becoming a site for nature festivals!
Ian Kleine suggests Arkansas
craft fairs.
|
Site
Map
